Domed observation car



Aug. 15, 1950 s. A. JERGENSON DOMED OBSERVATION CAR Filed April 10, 1946 G. A. JERGENSON DOMED OBSERVATION CAR Aug. 15, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 10, 1.946

. Filed April 10, 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Aug- 1950 G. A. JERGENSON 2,519,049

DOMED OBSERVATION CAR j y "Hf a? Jwomtoz GzoyaZJe gywon Aug. 15, 1950 e. A. JERGENSON DOMED OBSERVATION CAR 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed April 10, 1946 6202a LQ. ffezgenson Patented Aug. 15, 1950 George Ar-Jergeiison, Detroit, Mich, assignor to General Motors Corporation, Detroit, Mich, a

corporation of Delaware Application April'lll, 1946, Serial'No. 661,113; i1 Claims. (ci ics-340) The present invention relates to improvement in railway coaches The principal object of the invention is to provide a passenger coach body having longitudinally and vertically spaced sections or compartments with easy access therebetween for the passengers in order to provide more comfortable and diversified'travel accommodations therefor.

Another object of the invention is to provide an observation dome intermediate the ends of the roof sections of such height relative to the end roof sections and provided with end and side 'windows in the observation dome and seats beneatn the dome on an upper deck of the car in order that peopleof normal stature when seated I in these seats will .have' clear view through the end window's above the end roof sections and a" clear view upwardly and downwardlythrough the side'windows oi the dome".

The means'by which the above object and other advantages are obtained will become apparent by reference to the following detailed description and drawings illustrating various features and modifications of the invention.

Figure I of the drawings is a side elevation view of one: side of the coach body. I

Figure 2 is a side elevation view of the other side of the body. I

'Figure 3 is a plan view taken on line 3'--3 of Figure 1' of a portion of the body with parts broken away. I

Figure 4 is a horizontal sectional line 4-4: of Figure 5,

Figure. 5 is a vertical sectional view taken subview taken on stantially on the longitudinal. mid-plane of the body shown inFigure 1. v 1 V Figure 6 is a horizontal" sectional view taken substantially on. the horizontal mid-plane of the line 9--9 of Figure 5. I

Figure 10 is a cross sectional view taken on line Ill-40 of Figure 6..

Figure llis an enlarged horizontal sectional view similar to Figure 6" with parts broken away of a modified arrangement. w

2. 11 of another modification with parts broken away.

As best shown in the'various figures of the drawings: the coach body comprises vertical end walls I having central doors 3, vertical side walls 5 having windows], doors" H at the end and incurved lower skirt portions l3 serving as side sills. arcuate roof portions l5 adjacent the ends joined: to the end and side walls, and an intermediate. observation dome l1 formed by a built-up central longitudinal hollowmember l9 located in a plane? above and intermediate the end roof portions l5 and having downwardly curved end portions joined to the end roof portions I5 and inwardly;- curved end and side windows 2I-23 between the central member lfl and adjacent end roof por tions and the upper extremities of the side walls 5.-

As best shown in Figures 5, 6, 12, 13 and 14, the sills of the central end doors 3 and members forming the floor portions 2521, in the body end sections 29-3! beneath the arcuate end roof per- A central stairway 33 extends upwardly fromthe inner end of the floor portion 25 in the end.

section 29 to one end of a depressed central cor ridor floor portion 35 of a fabricated upper deck or floor member 31 secured between the side walls 5 beneath the observation-dome [1 to form an elevated observation compartment 38. Portions- 39-4! including steps 4-2 of the member 31 ex-' tend upwardly and outwardly from the corridor floor portion 35 to side platform portions 43-45 of the member 31 located directly beneath the side windows M on either side of the observation.

dome I"! and directly beneath and between the Y end windows it-thereof; The portions 353S4l Figure 12 is a view similar to Figure 5 of a modifled arrangement.

Figure 13 is a view similar to Figure 6 of the modification shown in Figure: 12.

"Figure 14 is-an enlarged viewsimilar to Figure of the upper deck or floor member curve upwarcv:v 'ly at the end opposite the stairway 33 and are roof 1501* joined to the adjacent inner end of the tion [5.

Another fabricated member 41 having portions 49-51-53 is located parallel to the portions"- 35-394l of the floor member 31 and secured in spaced relation thereto by suitable struts, not

shown, and also secured between the side walls 51 forms the ceiling of a lower compartment 55 and tudinal side wall portion 6i and two transverse end wall portions 63-65. The upper edge of this partition 59 is joined to the ceiling member. 47,:-

modern the outer ends of the end wall portions 63-455 are joined at longitudinally spaced points to one side wall 5 and each of the lower edges of these side and end wall portions extend downwardly below each of the inner ends of the end section floor portions 252l to which each end wall portion is joined.

Floor plates 61 for the lower side corridor 5'! are connected between the longitudinal side wall portion 6| oi the partition 59'and the adjacent coach side Wall 5 at a level slightly below the level of the end section floor portions 2521. Ramp members 69-1! extend upwardly from either end of the lower side corridor floor plates 61 to the inner ends of the end section floor portions 2521.

Floor members 13 for the lower compartment 55 are joined to the side and end wall portions 6l-63--65 oi the partition 59 and to one coach side wall 5 at a level slightly below that of the fioorfi'l of the lower side corridor 51. Suitable door openings 15 are provided in the side wall portion 6| of the partition 59 to provide access between the lower side corridor 5'! and lower compartment 55.

Headlining panels H are supported on the underside of carlines 19 having openings therein and extending between the side walls 5 to support each of the end section arcuate roof portions [5. The space between these roof portions and headlining panels serve as air conditioning and illuminating ducts 8I83. These ducts are connected by the opening 85 in the hollow central dome member 19, which opening also serves as an air conditioning and illuminating duct for the upper observation compartment 38. The space between the fabricated floor or upper deck member 31 of the observation compartment 38 and the fabricated ceiling member 41 of the lower compartment 55 and side corridor 5! also serves as a similar duct 87 which is also connected at one'end with the ducts 83 and 85. Suitable openings for air and light, not shown, are provided in the headlining panels TI in the end sections 29--3 l, and in the underside of the hollow central member I9 of the dome l1 and in ceiling member 41 of the lower compartment 55. The observation compartment 38 is provided with seats 89 supported on the platform portions 4345 of the fabricated floor member 3'! so that people of normal stature may be comfortably seated in the seats 89 and enjoy a clear view above the end roof portions l5 through the end windows 2! and a clear View upwardly and downwardly through the side windows 23 of the observation dome IT. The end sect ons 29-3! and lower compartment may be provided with seats 9l'of any type desired, and lockers 939591 and the lower compartment 55 may be subdivided by means of suitable partitions, such as shown in Figures 5, 6 and 14, to serve respectively as a lounge and rest rooms.

In Figure 11 the lower compartment is partitioned to serve as a ladies lounge and childrens playroom.

In Figures 12 and 13'the lower compartment is partitioned to serve as bedrooms and the end sections are provided with parti ions 99 to form a side corridor with bedrooms opening therefrom.

It will be evident that the end sections and lower compartment may be subdivided as desired to provide game rooms, a grill, cocktail lounge, theater or dining compartments. The lower side corridor 5'! provides easy passage from end to end and access to the lower compartment 55 and the stairway 33 provides easy access to the upper observation compartment 38 so that exceedingly comfortable and diversified travel accommoda-.

tion is enjoyed by the passengers with the type of coach body described.

I claim:

1. In a passenger coach, end floor portions at the same level, a depressed side corridor floor therebetween, a lower floor at one side and below said corridor floor, members forming upper side platforms and a central depressed upper corridor floor immediately above said side corridor floor and lower floor, end roof portions over said end 'fioors and an observation domed roof portion over said upper side platforms and upper central corridor floor.

2. In a passenger coach, end floor portions at conventional level, a depressed side corridor floor therebetween, a lower intermediate floor alongside and below said corridor floor, members forming an upper observation compartment floor having a depressed central corridor floor and side platforms and side walls and a ceiling for said lower side corridor floor and lower intermediate floor.

3. In a passenger coach having end walls, side walls, arcuate roof portions at the ends, an observation dome intermediate roof portion, end floor portions at conventional level, an upper intermediate floor portion, lower intermediate floor portions, a stairway providing access between one of said end floors and said upper intermediatebelow said end floors and having end ramps connected thereto and another intermediate lower floor portion slightly below said other intermediate floor portion.

4. In a passenger coach having end walls, side walls, roof portions at the ends, an intermediate upwardly projecting observation roof portion, floor portions adjacent the ends located at conventional level, an upper intermediate floor portion and lower intermediate floor portions, 9, stairway between said upper intermediate floor portion and one of said end floor portions, said lower intermediate floor portions being located at levels below said end floor portions, one of said in termediate floor portions extending along one side wall and being located at a level slightly below said end portions and slightly above said other intermediate floor portion and ramps extending between the opposite ends of said intermediate portion extending along one side wall to each of said end flOOr portions.

5. In a passenger coach having end walls, side walls, end roof portions, an upwardly projecting intermediate observation dome portion, end floor portions at conventional level, an upper intermediate floor comprising platform' portions along each side wall beneath said observation dome portion and a' depressed central corridor portion, a stairway between said depressed central corridor portion and one of said end floor portions, an intermediate lower corridor floor portion extending along one side wall beneath one of said upper platform portions and located at a level slightly below said end floor sections, ramps connecting the ends of said lower side corridor floor portion with said end floor portions and an other intermediate lower floor portion at a level slightly below said intermediate lower side corridor floor portion.

6. In a passenger coach having vertical end and side walls. arcuate end roof portions, a domed observation intermediate roof portion, floor portions at the same level at either end, an upper intermediate floor member secured between said side walls comprising side observation platform portions, a depressed upper central corridor portionand stepped portions therebetween, seats on said observation platform portions, a stairway between said upper corridor floor portion and one of said end floor portions, a horizontal ceiling member secured below and in spaced relation'to said upper intermediate floor member, a vertical partition secured to said ceiling member and said end floor portions and forming the walls and ceiling of an intermediate lower compartment and the ceiling and side wall of a lower corridor, floor members secured at a level below said end floor portions between said partition and one side wall forming the floor of said lower compartment, floor members secured between said partition and one side Wall at a level between said end floor portions and said intermediate lower compartment floor and ramps connected between each of said end floor portions and the opposite ends of said lower corridor floor.

7. In a passenger coach having end side walls, arcuate roof portions at the ends, headlining spaced from said roof portions forming air conditioning and illuminating ducts therebetween and an arcuate observation dome between said roof portions, said dome including a hollow memher also serving as an air conditioning and illuminating duct and connected at the ends to each of said other ducts.

8. In a passenger coach having end and side walls, roof portions at the ends, headlining spaced from said roof portions forming air conditioning and illuminating ducts at the ends, an arcuate dome forming an intermediate roof portion, said dome including a hollow member serving as an intermediate air conditioning and illuminating duct and connected to said first named ducts and partitions forming an upper intermediate observation compartment and lower intermediate compartment with a space therebetween forming an air conditioning and illuminating duct and connected to said other ducts.

9. A railway car body having end walls, side walls with incurved lower side sill portions, floor and arcuate roof portions at conventional levels adjacent the ends of the body, an observation dome intermediate the arcuate end roof portions, anelevated floor portion beneath the dome having a depressed central floor portion forming the floor of an upper longitudinal corridor, stairs leading between the upper longitudinal corridor floor and one end floor portion, a lower side corridor floor having end ramps leading downwardly from each end floor portion and a central fioor portion below the level of the end floor portions and beneath one elevated floor portion, and a lower floor portion between the end and lower side corridor floor portions and below the level of the lower central floor portion of the lower side corridor.

10. A railway car body having side and end walls, floor and roof portions at conventional levels adjacent the ends of the body, an observation dome supported by the side walls between the end roof portions and joined to the roof portions, means joined to one end of the dome adjacent the inner end of one roof portion and to the side walls beneath the dome to form elevated side floor portions and a depressed corridor floor therebetween, a stairway leading from the depressed corridor floor to one end floor portion, a lower side corridor floor having a central portion beneath the dome and at a level below the end floor portions and ramp portions leading upwardly thereto, and a floor portion below and alongside the lower side corridor.

11. A railway car body having end walls, side walls, floor and roof portions at conventional height at the ends of the body between the side walls, head linings spaced from the roof portions forming ducts, an observation dome joined to the inner ends of the roof portions and supported on the side walls, said dome having a longitudinal duct communicating with said first mentioned ducts, means connecting the side walls beneath the dome and one roof portion and forming upper observation floor portions at the sides and a depressed corridor floor extending longitudinally therebetween, a stairway leading from the upper depressed corridor floor to one end floor portion, means connected between the side walls and end floor portions forming a lower corridor fioor below one observation floor portion having a central portion below the level of the end floors and end ramps leading upwardly thereto, a bottom floor at a level below and alongside the lower side corridor and beneath the other observation floor portion and adjacent depressed corridor floor, vertical portions and ceiling members forming the ceiling of the bottom floor and lower side corridor floor, the inner wall between the lower side corridor and bottom floor and transverse walls between the bottom floor and end floor portions, said ceiling members being spaced from said upper observation floor portions and said depressed corridor floor therebetween to form another duct communicating with said first mentioned ducts.

GEORGE A. JERGENSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number I Name Date 177,795 Blochman May 23, 1876 447,785 McBride Mar. 10, 1891 654,926 State July 31, 1900 1,085,504 Spangler Jan. 27, 1914 1,174,703 Flagg Mar. 7, 1916 1,798,542 Koch et a1. Mar. 31, 1931 2,312,906 Horton et al. Mar. 2, 1943 2,405,136 Dittrich Aug. 6, 1946 OTHER REFERENCES Railway Age, vol. 119 No. 5, Aug. 4, 1945. Illustrated article entitled General Motors Proposes Astra Liner, (pages 203-206).

Certificate of Correction Patent N 0. 2,519,049 August 15, 1950 GEORGE A. JERGENSON It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows:

Column 2, line 45, for the numeral 41 read 45;

and that the said Letters Patent should be read as corrected above, so that the, same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Ofiice.

Signed and sealed this 28th day of November, A. D. 1950.

THOMAS F. MURPHY,

Assistant Oommissz'oner of Patents. 

